Trent Bridge

Johnson Eyes Second XI Trophy Upset

Match Preview | 10th September 2013

Nottinghamshire’s Second XI are set to face a strong Lancashire side in the final of this summer’s Second XI trophy.

The match will be held at Welbeck Colliery Cricket Club, and Second XI coach Paul Johnson has been attempting to keep his excitement in check ahead of the final.

“Nervous anticipation would cover my feelings today,” he said.

“We’ve done very well to get to the final of this competition and we’ll have a relatively young team out against a relatively experienced one from Lancashire.

“It’ll be nice to put our lads against an experienced, quality opposition and we’ve beaten them in this competition before so we’ll be going into the final in a confident frame of mind.

“We’ve seen it on many occasions that underdogs can win.” Paul Johnson

“On any given day, at this level every side is capable of beating everyone else.

“If we put in some solid performances in, pit our wits against one another on the day and if things come together then who knows?

“We’ve seen it on many occasions in many different sports that underdogs can win, and do win.”

Lancashire have named a strong squad for the Trophy final, with top order batsmen Stephen Moore, Karl Brown and Steven Croft all set to face Notts’ youthful side. For Johnson, their inclusion highlighted the importance of the match to the visitors.

“I think it’s testament to the respect they’re giving this fixture, and our side,” he said.

“They have a big squad and they’ve dropped a couple of players out of their First XI squad to face Leicestershire this week and they’re making them play against us.

“They have a great record in this competition and the quality of their side shows why they have had that success in recent years.”

One man who has taken plaudits from across the cricketing world this week is Jake Ball, whose exploits for the Notts Outlaws saw him take four wickets and help the side reach the final of this summer’s Yorkshire Bank 40 competition. Tomorrow, however, he’ll be turning out at his home ground with silverware of a different kind in mind.

“He’s gone out there on a big stage at Trent Bridge and proven that he can put in a huge performance,” said Johnson.

“He’ll be going back to his club at Welbeck so there’ll be a big local contingency to see him and I’m sure that Jake will want to go out there and show his home club what he’s capable of doing and repeating it again.

“He’ll be leading our attack and he has that responsibility because of the performances he’s put in in the first team and I’m sure he’ll shoulder that responsibility and put in a strong showing on the day.”